Mark Nelson out as GCU basketball assistant

Mark Nelson is no longer part of the Grand Canyon University men’s basketball coaching staff, coach Dan Majerle said.

Nelson and T.J. Benson were the only holdovers from the Russ Pennell regime, joining Majerle’s staff in his first year, as the school transitioned from NCAA Division II to I, playing in the Western Athletic Conference.

The team (15-14), which finished third in the WAC, is practicing this week with the strong possibility of playing host to a CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament game next Tuesday or Wednesday at old Antelope Gym, which seats 1,400.

GCU Arena is under renovation to expand 2,000 more seats for next season.

Nelson was an assistant at Grand Canyon for five years. He has been a college coach for 19 years, spending 11 years as a head junior college coach in Kansas and Illinois, compiling 243 wins.

“Mark is a great coach and even a better person,” Majerle said. “I can’t thank him more for what he’s done for me this year.

“I needed a guy who could be out on the road a lot more. Not that Mark couldn’t do it. But I think we need a guy whose strength is recruiting.”

Benson played at Grand Canyon, before being part of the staff last year. This was fist year serving as director of basketball operations.

Majerle said he will consider Benson for an assistant coaching role.

“The timing of it isn’t great,” Majerle said. “I wanted to be fair to Mark, in case he wanted to coach some other places, so he can pursue that.”

There is a possibility Nelson could join Pennell, who last week was named the head coach at his alma mater, Central Arkansas University.

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